Rostral Heliconia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Heliconia rostral (lat. Heliconia rostrata) - herbaceous perennial plant from

genus Heliconia (lat. Heliconia), which is the only one in

family Heliconium (lat. Heliconiaceae) … Heliconia rostral, home to the American tropics, was chosen by the Bolivian government as the country's second national flower (the first national flower is "Cantua bux-leaved" or simply "Cantuta"). The plant received its specific epithet for the amazing shape of bright flowers filled with fragrant nectar. Cut flowers keep their freshness for a long time.

What the name will tell you

The specific epithet "rostrata" is derived from the Latin word "rostrum", which means "beak" in translation. The plant owes this epithet to the form of its amazingly beautiful flowers, painted by nature in three colors: red, yellow and green. These three colors were used by the Bolivians for their national flag. And in addition to the flag, they made rostral Heliconia, repeating the colors of the flag, another national flower.

Because of the hanging inflorescences, Heliconia rostral is called "hanging lobster claw" ("hanging lobster"). And due to some external similarity of the flowers of the plant with the flowers of Strelitzia, a native of South Africa, which is otherwise called "bird of paradise flower" ("bird of paradise flower"), Heliconia rostral is called "false bird-of-paradise" ").

Description

Heliconia rostral is a herbaceous rhizome plant, the perennial of which is supported by an underground rhizome, which likes to spread to the sides, and therefore requires control in cultivated plantings.

Leaves of Heliconia rostral outwardly resemble oar-shaped Banana leaves. The leaves are arranged vertically on long petioles and can reach a length of 120 (one hundred twenty) centimeters. Such leaves can be easily damaged by the wind, therefore, in culture, they should be selected in places protected from the wind. Most often, the leaves are green, but they can also be spotty.

Helikonia rostral gained popularity in garden design with its bright inflorescences up to 60 (sixty) centimeters long, formed by flowers of stunning beauty. The inflorescences are located on long stems (up to two meters long), which are much thinner than that of the Banana plant. Waxy, cup-shaped, bright bracts, which most people mistake for the flowers of a plant, hide inside yellow or red miniature flowers, facing downward at Heliconia and containing nectar for birds, especially hummingbirds, pollinating the plant. The hanging inflorescence looks like a Christmas tree garland decorating a rainforest. Cut exotic flowers retain their freshness for a long time, and therefore are used in festive decoration of residential premises.

Growing conditions

For a successful life in the culture, Heliconia rostral needs good lighting, high environmental humidity and fertile soil with a good drainage system. To effectively retain moisture in the soil, a solid layer of mulch is used. Compared to other species of the genus Heliconia, this species is more cold-resistant and can grow at temperatures up to plus 15 degrees. In areas with a cold climate, it is grown in greenhouses or greenhouses.

There are varieties that are more modest in size, the height of which does not exceed half a meter. They are used as a pot plant for growing in homes or various institutions and offices.

Heliconia rostral is propagated by dividing a viable rhizome. Much less often propagated by sowing seeds.

The main enemy of the plant is the red spider mite, which is especially annoying in the summer. With poor drainage of the soil, rotting of the root system is possible.